Callan Ward’s injury heartbreak inspires GWS to remarkable comeback win over Richmond

At the final break, a major Richmond boilover looked a certainty. But then Callan Ward, on crutches and in tears only an hour earlier, spoke to the group – and something special happened.

GWS has pulled off a miraculous comeback over Richmond to save its season, drawing inspiration from a legend’s heartbreak.

In the opening minutes, the small but vocal crowd at Engie Stadium went deathly silent as one of the club’s favourite sons in Callan Ward went down with a suspected ACL injury.

The scenes were heartbreaking for teammates, officials and spectators alike as the 35-year-old made the long walk from the far end of the stadium to the bench, with the realisation his illustrious career could’ve come to a halt on terms not of his choosing.

Lachie Whitfield’s embrace and kiss on the head served as a poignant moment that struck a chord with everyone watching.

It sent a sombre wave of emotion over Engie Stadium, with the Giants falling behind for much of the contest against the lowly Tigers.

Darcy Jones celebrates a final term goal against the Tigers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Josh Kelly hugs Callan Ward in the rooms. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos

They trailed by as much as 31 late in the third quarter and were headed for an embarrassing defeat, before coming from the clouds – after a Ward speech at the final change – in the fourth quarter.

Callum Brown’s third goal of the night marked five-straight for the Giants in the term, giving them their first lead since Ward’s injury and restoring the feeling for the fans, lifting them to a 12.8 (80) to 10.17 (77).

“Kingers put it on me late, just about playing our role, being reliable, a few different things we’re not doing too well at the moment,” Ward said of his three-quarter-time talk.

“Wardy is the heart of the footy club...we weren’t playing like Wardy, plain and simple,” coach Adam Kingsley added post-game of his decision to hand over those final words.

Inspirational.

Despite his injury, Cal Ward fires up his team before the final term.#AFLGiantsTigerspic.twitter.com/C4hJdIsbkW

— AFL (@AFL) May 31, 2025

Kingsley said Ward would go in for scans to fully diagnose his injury, but he and the club are resigned to the fact he will take no further part on the field in 2025.

“He’s hurt his knee. Obviously he’ll get scans in due course but it doesn’t look great,” he said.

“Incredibly disappointing for our footy club. Such an important person, important player.”

With the Giants trailing by 28 heading into the final term, Ward was spotted giving the team talk in the huddle, and Kingsley believes he will continue to play a part in their charge to the finals.

“I don’t know what it (will look like) for the rest of the season, but he’ll be around supporting us,” he said.

“He’s a fantastic clubman, he sees the game really well and there’s no doubt he’ll add value in whatever he does, it just won’t be on the field unfortunately.

“He puts the team ahead of himself and he’s done that for 17 years.”

Tigers take advantage

From the point of Ward’s injury, the first quarter became a one-act affair in favour of the visitors.

Despite entering the match in 16th, the Tigers dominated every facet of the game, leading the disposal count by 42 and clearances by 10 as they raced out to a 28-point margin.

Their six goals marked their best quarter from an offensive standpoint all season as they turned on the flair in a big way.

Connor Idun and Rhyan Mansell face off. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Early home woes continue

For the second-straight home outing, the Giants’ attacking prowess was completely stifled in the first half.

The Giants faithful in the stands are used to seeing their free-flowing brand of footy at Homebush, but again they were kept under 30 points at the half.

Even when they tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter, ball movement slowed down as decision-making in key moments let them down, before finally clicking in the fourth.

Kingsley described it as somewhat of a great escape, praising Richmond as the better team on the day.

“We didn’t deserve to win that game in the end. What good teams do is they win the games they don’t necessarily deserve to win,” he said.

“We’re aspiring to be a good team. We’re still a work in progress with that. At times tonight it didn’t feel like that, but I thought Richmond were really good.”

Letting it slip

If you offered Richmond a fourth-quarter lead on the road against the Giants, just about every fan would’ve taken it.

But this one feels like they well and truly let one slip through their fingers.

The Tigers were well in control throughout the third quarter and their margin of 28 coming into the fourth seemed unassailable.

Which makes it all the more difficult to swallow for their faithful as they scored just one point in the final term as the Giants ran right over the top of them.

Richmond coach Adam Yze said they were able to take a lot of positives out of the performance, but not getting over the line stung.

“I’m so proud of our effort and our start,” he said.

“The last quarter got away from us, but it wasn’t method or system, it was just slight role execution.

“As a group we sit here really flat, but at the same time understand we’re on the right path.”

Tim Taranto almost got the young Tigers over the line. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Scoreboard

GWS 2.1 4.3 7.6 12.8 (80)

RICHMOND 6.5 7.11 10.16 10.17 (77)

BEST

Giants: Lachie Ash, Tom Green, Lachie Whitfield, Callum Brown, Aaron Cadman

Tigers: Dion Prestia, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto, Sam Banks, Toby Nankervis

GOALS

Giants: Callum Brown 3, Jake Riccardi 2, Aaron Cadman 2, Tom Green, Cody Angove, Toby Greene, Kieren Briggs, Toby McMullin

Tigers: Tim Taranto 2, Steely Green 2, Tom Lynch 2, Dion Prestia, Jonty Faull, Jacob Hopper, Tyler Sonsie

INJURIES

Giants: Callan Ward (knee)

Tigers: N/A

TEUMA’S BEST

3: Lachie Ash (GWS)

2: Jacob Hopper (RICH)

1: Tom Green (GWS)

WARD, GIANTS IN TEAR

– Lachlan McKirdy

Giants legend Callan Ward may have played his last game in the AFL after suffering an apparent serious knee injury early in the clash against Richmond.

Ward was trying to corral Hugo Ralphsmith near the boundary when the Tigers’ midfielder pushed the veteran off. At the same time, Ward’s right knee got caught in the turf and he fell to the turf, immediately grabbing his leg.

GWS physios performed some tests on the leg while he remained on the ground, but the 35-year-old was in tears before he was lifted off the deck.

He required assistance from two physios to leave the field, and struggled to put any weight on his right leg.

It was later confirmed the initial expectation from the club was an ACL tear and Ward said as much himself at three-quarter time.

“I’m not sure officially, but it feels like a bad one...like ACL,” he said on Fox Footy.

“Initially probably in shock, but feeling all right now, there’s a lot worse going on than hurting my knee.”

Callan Ward is consoled by Josh Kelly as he is helped from the field.

Giants fans applaud Ward from the field.

Ward suffered an ACL injury to his other knee in 2019, which kept him out of the Giants’ run to the grand final that season.

However, it was clear that Ward knew it was a similarly serious injury as he became emotional leaving the ground, waving to the Giants fans in attendance at Engie Stadium.

His teammates also made sure to show their support for the former club captain, with stalwarts of the club like Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly embracing Ward after the injury.

The Giants immediately subbed Ward out of the game for Toby McMullin.

This season always appeared likely to be the last of Ward’s AFL career after he decided to play on one more year in the orange and charcoal. His wife and three children moved back to Melbourne in the off-season, leaving Ward to fight it out for what he hoped would be one last crack at an elusive premiership for the Giants.

Devastating if that’s the end for Callan Ward.

A cruel way to go for a legend of the game. #AFL

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) May 31, 2025

This season always appeared likely to be the last of Ward’s AFL career after he decided to play on one more year in the orange and charcoal. His wife and three children moved back to Melbourne in the off-season, leaving Ward to fight it out for what he hoped would be one last crack at an elusive premiership for the Giants.

Callan Ward on crutches after being subbed out on Saturday.

Saturday afternoon’s match was the 327th of his AFL career, stretching back to his debut as an 18-year-old for the Western Bulldogs in 2008. He has played 267 games since moving to the Giants to become their inaugural captain in 2012.

Amid the injury heartache, the Tigers were able to find some early momentum following Ward’s injury, kicking three straight goals to take an early 15-point lead.

“Haven’t spoken to him yet, but it looks like knee so really disappointing,” GWS coach Adam Kingsley said at quarter-time.